In a corner of the Secundus World, there was a large villa that stretched for countless miles.

This villa belong to the second family of the Secundus Branch. This second family originated from Rouge’s brother, Roland’s bloodline.

Unlike his younger brother, Rouge, Roland had many children who in return had many children of their own.

However, Roland suddenly disappeared after handing over leadership of the Secundus Branch to his son, who handed it to his uncle, and so on until the leadership was claimed by Rouge.

The current head of the second family is Alisa Dragna, Roland's granddaughter.

She had azure hair, and crystal blue eyes. She was very stunning and had the aura of a leader.

She was currently in her office, sitting behind her desk.

In front of her were a blonde youth with blue eyes, and beside him was a silver haired youth with blue eyes.

They were Kouta and Christian Dragna.

“Do you know why I asked you two to come here?”

“I have an idea.”

Kouta answered.

“…….”

Christian on the other hand had a dazed look on his face.

“Christian, Wake Up!”

“Ahh!”

Hearing the voice that was as loud as thunder, Christian nearly sprung out of his seat.

“Seriously, who sleeps with their eyes open?”

Alisa said with a smile.

“Yawn~! I'm sorry, mother. I only got 15 hours of sleep yesterday. I'm seriously tired.”

“You got twice as much as me and you're complaining?”

Kouta said.

“It can't be helped. I'm a growing boy.”

“You're 5 years older than me!”

Christian suddenly looked like he realized something.

“You're right.”

He turned and placed his hand on Kouta's shoulder.

“You should sleep more often. Otherwise you won't be able to grow into a proper adult.”

“I'm already in my 50s!”

“Okay, okay. You two, stop the comedy show. I'm trying to be serious here.”

Said Alisa.

“Forgive me, Mother.”

Said Kouta.

Christian nodded and took out something from his pocket.

It was an eye mask with some ancient runes designs on it.

He put it over his eyes and laid back.

“Okay, I'm focused now.”

He said.

Alisa didn't frown when she saw him put on the mask. That was because she knew that he's only serious when he has it own.

The eye mask was a magic artifact she created to rid Christian of his sleepy behavior.

It was quite ironic that a sleeping mask was what was keeping him awake.

“Okay. As you two already guessed, I want to discuss the upcoming Throne Wars between the Primus Branch and the Secundus Branch.”

She said.

“You want us to stay out of it, right?”

Said Christian.

“It makes sense considering our parentage.”

Said Kouta.

“If it was anyone else, then they could interfere with this battle, but the three of us cannot.”

Alisa grasped the ring on her finger.

“That's because my husband and your father is the Primus Branch’s Gamiko Dragna Jr. aka Nova.”

Other than being the head of the second family of the Secundus Branch, Alisa was also the third wife of Nova.

They've been married for close to 100 years.

Christian and Kouta were his second and third children. His first child was with his first wife, Sherry.

A daughter named Lala.

“Well, isn't he more of a father in name?”

Kouta said with disdain.

“Don't be like that. You know for a fact that he was confined to the Primus Branch along with his father, shortly after you were born.”

Alisa said.

“Besides, even though we haven't we met much physically, he spoke with us on a regular basis. So don't be a brat.”

Christian said.

“I've never met the guy. I have the right to complain, even a little bit.”

Kouta said with a frown.

“Well, you'll meet him in three months. That will be the first time he's left the Primus World in half a century.”

Said Alisa.

“You'll see just how great of a man your father is.”

“I'm more interested in Momo and Aeon. We're all from the same generation after all. I want to test myself against them.”

Said Kouta.

“I don't really care about all that. But I am interested in meeting the kid who's going to fight Dario.”

Said Christian.

“In due time. No matter who wins its beneficial for us.”

Said Alisa.

“So let's enjoy the show from the sidelines.”

The same time in the royal palace.

Dario was sitting across from a muscular purple haired man with an overwhelming aura. He was the former king and his father, Marcel Dragna.

Marcel looked at Dario without a hint of emotion as he ate the food in front him.

“So? You think you can win?”

He suddenly asked.

Dario nodded.

“Of course, father. My training is showing grand results.”

“Results? Maybe so, but considering that you were talented in the first place, it's nothing special. You're just making up for the time you've wasted, that's all.”

“….Yes, father.”

Even though it didn't show on his face, Dario was disappointed.

Marcel saw that.

“What? Did you want to be praised?”

He put his elbow on the table and rested his head in his palm.

“I'll be honest with you, Dario. You did a descent job as a king. The only issue is that you looked at things from a long term perspective, while most people only care about the present. Because of that you're viewed as a bad king who made short sighted decisions.”

He sighed and continued.

“If you had just a decade more your efforts would've bared fruit, and you would've gone down in history as a great king.”

Marcel’s words surprised Dario.

His father doesn't normally praise him this much.

“There's nothing to be surprised about. What I said was the truth. It's just that you do things in secret too much. Thus you're misunderstood.”

He then picked up back his fork and started eating again.

“You're a much better king than I was. I only cared about military accomplishments, and neglected the people and state of the country.”

He twirled the fork between his fingers.

“You spent the last decade cleaning up my and my predecessors’ mess.”

Marcel’s words left Dario speechless for a long time.

“….Father, do you think Karim would’ve made a better king?”

He asked after a while.

“You still have an inferiority complex towards your brother?”

Dario didn't say anything.

Marcel sighed.

“Well, let's see. Karim is more a General than a king. In my eyes, Karim would've just repeated my mistakes. You on the other hand is more of tactician. So as to who would be the better king, it would have to be you.”

Dario had a complex expression on his face when he heard that.

“But none of that matters now, since neither of you are king now. Only one of you is a King Candidate.”

Dario frowned when he heard that.

“A word of advice, my son.”

Marcel suddenly had a solemn expression.

“Don't underestimate that boy. Keep in mind that although he's young, he's a Gamiko. From what I heard he's just as dangerous as Nero and Nova.”

Dario nodded.

“I understand, father. I won't let me my guard down.”

Marcel finally smiled when he heard that.

“Good.”

Elsewhere, there was a similar conversation between father and son.

In the Saevio Clan’s residence, Marco was standing g in front of his father, Markus.

“Both you and Dario have entered [S Class]. Good work.”

“Thank you, father.”

Marco said.

“About Leon's case, have the elders made their decision?”

He asked.

Markus nodded.

“We've decided to dispose of him during the games.”

This answer didn't surprise Marco. It was obvious that the clan wouldn't allow the rebirth of Beleth.

At first they were only 50% certain that Leon was Beleth’s vessel. But after witnessing his abnormal strength growth, they were 100% certain. And thus, his execution was decided.

Of course, there were those who believed that they could tame him and turn him into their weapon.

However, the risk was too high. So those in favor for his death won.

“I would also like you to eliminate Leon's son if possible.”

“That….With all due respect, father. Killing the Third would be foolish and honestly suicide.”

“Not necessarily.”

Markus smiled.

“Nero and Rouge made a Fate Contract with each other. One of the terms of the contract plainly states that no matter what happens in the Throne Wars, neither of them are allowed to exact revenge on any of the parties.”

“I see. However, what guarantees that someone else won't seek revenge?”

“Do you mean Kimiko?”

Marco nodded.

“Don't worry about her. It's different from back then. I'm confident that I can handle her now.”

Markus face was filled with confidence when he said that.

“We can't allow Miko or Leon to turn into demons. So they must be eliminated. Do you understand?”

Beleth died before the peace treaty was signed, which means he's not bound by contract like the other Higher beings.

If he was to be reborn and regain his former power, he could roam free on the moral plane and take the world as his own.

Marco was well aware of this. That's why he won't hesitate to do what it takes to stop it.

“I understand, father.”

Secundus World.

In the main residence of Rouge, there was a room that was under strict security.

Inside of this room, there was a single bed.

Beside the bed, there was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and green eyes.

She was the former queen, Vivian Dragna.

She was looking down at the person laying on the bed.

He had a slight muscular build, handsome face with purple hair, gave off a weak aura.

This was Karim Dragna.

“Karim…”

Vivian gently called out her son's name, as she carcass his cheek.

*Bam!*

It was then something unbelievable happened.

A burst of magic was suddenly released from Karim’s body.

Vivian was caught off guard and was blown back a couple steps.

“What?!”

She was incredibly shocked.

Karim’s body suddenly started glowing a purple light as his Chaotic Qi swirled out of control.

“Karim!”

Vivian shouted out at her son as the Qi got livelier by the second.

After a few minutes, the Qi rushed back into Karim's body and caused his limbs to flung up about.

This stopped after 5 seconds, and calm returned to the room.

“…What just happened?”

Vivian observed his body and saw that unknown ancient seals started appearing on his chest.

“……”

It was then Karim silently opened his eyes.

His body then rose as he held his head.

“Karim!”

Vivian immediately ran and hugged her son.

“I'm so glad that you're finally awake!”

She said as she cried tears of joy.

Karim hugged her back and rubbed her back gently.

“Sorry for making you worry, mother.”

“It's okay! As long as you're alright!”

She said as she cried.

Karim remained silent and hugged her.

At that moment, a sinister black light flashed in Karim's eyes.

But no one was able to see it, so it went unnoticed.

“Mother, please tell me what I missed.”

Karim Dragna regained consciousness, on the week before Throne Wars.

Only a week until the title of king will be decided!